Friday, Sept. 7, 2001

Week One’s top matchup: Giants’ DL vs. Broncos’ OL

Denver provides the first — and perhaps best — test for New York’s upgraded D-line

By Jeff Agrest, Senior editor

Holmes will find out right away whether his statement has any validity, as the Giants open the regular season with a daunting trip to Denver to help the Broncos open their new stadium, Invesco Field at Mile High (Monday, 9 p.m. EDT, ABC).

What makes the trip so daunting isn’t so much the crowd noise the Giants will face. They’ll find that anywhere. But what’s unique to Denver is its offensive line, perhaps the best in the business.

What’s unique about the Broncos’ front five is that they don’t follow what’s become conventional football thinking — bigger is better. Just the contrary, in fact. Last season’s starting unit was the lightest in the league per man by at least 15 pounds, and Denver still ranked third overall in rushing.

The Broncos prefer their linemen to have more athleticism than girth, and for the most part, they find unheralded players and turn them into proficient blockers. Their starting right tackle, Matt Lepsis, was an undrafted free agent. Their starting left tackle, Trey Teague, was a seventh-round pick.

But the Broncos thought enough of Lepsis to sign him this offseason to a six-year contract worth as much as $26 million, including a $6.6 million signing bonus. Teague was given the starting OLT job following Tony Jones’ retirement, and the team is confident in the first-year starter’s ability.

Lepsis and Teague will have their hands full against Giants DEs Michael Strahan and Kenny Holmes, respectively. Strahan, PFW personnel analyst Joel Buchsbaum’s No.1-ranked defensive end, plays with tremendous leverage and power and is explosive off the line. Holmes turned the corner last season in Tennessee with the help of DL coach Jim Washburn.

But the more intriguing matchup is inside. Many believe Broncos OLG Lennie Friedman is on the verge of a breakout season, and C Tom Nalen ranks second among centers on Buchsbaum’s chart. Nalen is smart and superquick, and he makes up for his lack of size (6-3, 286) with his technique and superior use of his hands. ORG Dan Neil ranks 16^th among guards. They’ll see a lot of Keith Hamilton and Cornelius Griffin, two of the more athletic defensive tackles in the game.

Hamilton (sixth-ranked defensive tackle) played at a Pro Bowl level throughout the 2000 season. He has unusual size for a tackle because of his 6-6 frame, but he still plays with leverage and has good instincts. Griffin can move around like a linebacker and still has immense potential. He was instrumental in keeping Eagles QB Donovan McNabb in check in the playoffs last season. However, he has been nursing an ankle injury.

Whether the Broncos go with their bread-and-butter running game or give QB Brian Griese the green light to air it out, the trench warfare that will ensue will go a long way in determining a winner.

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2001 - 2002 Season